PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Carola J E Kaandorp AU - Huibert J Dinant AU - Mart A F J van de Laar AU - Hein J Bernelot Moens AU - A Pieter A Prins AU - Ben A C Dijkmans TI - Incidence and sources of native and prosthetic joint infection: a community based prospective survey AID - 10.1136/ard.56.8.470 DP - 1997 Aug 01 TA - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases PG - 470--475 VI - 56 IP - 8 4099 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/56/8/470.short 4100 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/56/8/470.full SO - Ann Rheum Dis1997 Aug 01; 56 AB - OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence and sources of bacterial arthritis in the Amsterdam health district and the maximum percentage of cases that theoretically would be preventable.METHODS Patients with bacterial arthritis diagnosed between 1 October 1990 and 1 October 1993 were prospectively reported to the study centre by all 12 hospitals serving the district. Data were gathered on previous health status, source of infection, and microorganisms involved.RESULTS 188 episodes of bacterial arthritis were found in 186 patients. Most of the 38 children were previously healthy. Fifty per cent of the adults were 65 years or older. Of the adults 84% had an underlying disease, in 59% a joint disorder. Joint surgery constituted the largest part of direct infections (33%) and skin defects were the most important source of haematogenous infections (67%). Infection of joints containing prosthetic or osteosynthetic material by a known haematogenous source occurred 15 times (8%).Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organism in 44% of all positive cultures.CONCLUSION The incidence of bacterial arthritis was 5.7 per 100 000 inhabitants per year. Preventive measures directed to patients with prosthetic joints or osteosynthetic material, and a known haematogenous source would have prevented at most 8% of all cases.